Towing rig for collapsible containers



Jqly 7, 1959 M. M. CUNNINGHAM 7 2,893,746

' TOWING RIG FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS I Filed Feb. 5, 1958 v 2 SheetsSheet 1 (Z gr. .2

' ATTORNEY y 1959 M. M. CUNNINGHAM 2,893,746

I TOWING RIG FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS Filed, Feb. 5, 1958 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (3\ I a Z; M20 Z/ INVENTOR. MAR/0mm CW/V/W/VflA/V ATTORNEY United States PatentO 2,893,746 N TOWING'RIG FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS Marion M. Cunningham," Providence, 11.1., assignor to United States Rubber Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 5, 1958, Serial No. 713,382

This invention relates to a rig or towing frame for converting generally cylindrical shaped collapsible containers into rollable units to facilitate the handling and movement thereof.

The present invention may be used with containers having the ends thereof connected together by a flexible in temal cable or cables, as shown, for example in my US. Patent No. 2,612,924, or having the ends thereof connected together by a rigid axle-like member as shown, for example, in my US. Patent No. 2,795,257.

In accordance with the present invention, the rig includes a bifurcated frame having means on each bifurcation for attaching the frame to the usual lifting rings provided at each end of a container. The frame provides a connection with the container by which the container may be rolled. The attaching means provided on each bifurcation are mounted for movement towards and away from each other so that when attached to the lift rings of the container, they may be actuated to apply tension to the internal cables or axle-like member of the container to thereby increase the resistance of the container to lateral bending or buckling when towed or pushed.

The present invention also contemplates provision of suitable connecting means so that a plurality of such rigs may be connected together and towed or pushed by a common power source, :such as a tractor, truck or the like. Auxiliary wheels may be provided to facilitate the movement of the rig when removed from a container or when the container has collapsed, and brakes operable from the towing tractor or other vehicle may be provided to facilitate handling of the rig.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with accompanying drawings wherem:

Fig. 1 is a side view showing the rig of the present invention attached to an expanded collapsible container thereby converting the collapsible container into an easily rollable unit;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the assembly shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view similar to that shown in Fig. 2 but showing the collapsible container in a collapsed condition and the rig supported on its auxiliary wheels.

Referring to the drawings, the rig of the invention, gen- 'erally designated by the reference numeral 10, is shown attached to a full and expanded, generally cylindrical collapsible container 11. The particular container illustrated is of the general type shown in my US. Patent No. 2,612,924, and reference is made thereto for a detailed description of the container. Briefly, the container is formed of plies of flexible rubberized cord fabric, and an internal cable 12 interconnects the end portions of the container. The ends of the cable 12 are secured to the Patented J uly 7, 1959 The rig 10 includes a bifurcated frame 16 adapted to.

straddle the expanded container endwise with the bifurcations or arms 17 extending down each end of the. container. As best shown in Fig. 2, the frame 16 is adapted to be connected to the container by engaging hook members 18 carried by the arms 17 with the lift rings 14 of the container.

Each of the hook members 18 have an elongated shank 18a which is rotatably mounted in a flanged sleeve 19 so that the hook member 18 may turn with the container as the container is rolled. The flanged sleeves 19 are secured by means of bolts 20 to the arms 17.

Each hook member 18 is adapted to be moved axially in the sleeve 19 by means of a nut or hand wheel 21 which is threaded on the end of the hook member. A thrust bearing 22 interposed between the nut 21 and the sleeve 19 serves to facilitate the turning of the nut.

When the hooks '18 are engaged with the lift rings 14, rotation of the nut or hand wheels 21 in a direction to move the hooks away from each other serve to tension the cable 12 of the container to thereby increase the resistance of the container to lateral bending or buckling when it is towed.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, auxiliary wheels 23, of smaller diameter than the expanded container, may be provided to facilitate the movement of the frame 16 when the frame is removed from the container or when the container is unexpanded. The wheels 23 are rotatably mounted by means of roller bearings 24 and 25 on the sleeves 19. Annular plates 26 secured to the hubs 27 of the wheels 23 have integral keys 28 which project into elongated keyways 29 in the shafts of the hook members 28 so that wheels 23 rotate with the hook members 18. The wheels 23 may be provided with brake drums 30 against which brake shoes 31 may be pressed by a conventional brake actuating mechanism (not shown) operable from the towing vehicle.

Secured to and extending in both directions from the frame 16 is a draw bar 32. One end of the draw bar is provided with a suitable coupling, such as a hook 33 and the other end of the draw bar is provided with a complementary coupling such as an eye 34, so that a number of units may be coupled together in tandem relationship and towed by a single vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 5, when the container is unexpanded and the frame operated or supported on the auxiliary wheels 23, the container may be folded, evacuated and strapped with suitable bands 35 to prevent the container from dragging on the ground.

From the above description it can be seen that there is provided a very efficient rig for converting generally cylindrical shaped collapsible containers into easily rollable units. The rig may be used with collapsible containers having the ends thereof connected together by a flexible cable or cables or by a rigid axle-like member. A number of the rigs may be connected together and towed by a single vehicle. While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described it will be appreciated that modification and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A rig for converting generally cylindrical shaped collapsible containers into rollable units comprising, a bifurcated frame: adapted to straddle the container endwise with the bifurcations thereof extending downeach end of the container, connecting means carried by each bifurcation adapted to be connected to the ends of the container, means for moving said connecting means carried by each bifurcation away from each other so that tensioncan. be applied to-means interconnecting the ends of the container to thereby increase the resistance of the container to lateral bending and buckling, and a draw bar connected to said frame by which the frame and contain er may be towed.

2.. Apparatus as defined incl'aim L in which said 13' urcations are provided with auxiliary wheels on which the References Cited. in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Biles Nov. 8, 1932 Arpin Apr. 10', 1951 OTHER REFERENCES- Article in Flight magazine, page 624, May 18, 1956. Article in Compressed Air Magazine, pages 304-305, October 1957.

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